Roll-on applicators

ABSTRACT

A SPRING-ACTUATED PISTON FORCES A FLUENT MASS IN A BARREL AGAINST A ROLLABLE BALL IN A FORWARD BARREL PORTION, THE LATTER HAVING A LEFT-HAND THREADED CONNECTION WITH A REARWARD BARREL PORTION WHOSE INNER WALL IS ELLIPTICAL AND SLIDABLY AND SEALINGLY ENGAGED BY THE PISTON. A CAP IS RELEASABLY COUPLED TO THE FORWARD BARREL PORTION. TURNING THE CAP TURNS THE FORWARD BARREL PORTION ON THE REARWARD BARREL PORTION, BINDING THE PISTON AGAINST THE WALL AND THEN THREADING THE FORWARD BARREL PORTION AWAY FROM THE PISTON TO RELIEVE THE FLUENT MASS OF THE SPRING PRESSURE.

Feb. 2,1971- w. a, sPATz 3,560,100

ROLL-ON PPLICATORS v F'iled'uarch 1o, 1969 2 sheets-snaai 1 OTTOfe/VE V.

United States Patent 3,560,100 ROLL-N APPLICATORS Walter B. Spatz, SantaMonica, Calif., assignor to Spatz L aboratories, Venice, Calif., acorporation of Califor- Filed Mar. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 805,743 Int. Cl.B43k 5/06 U.S. Cl. 401-180 27 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE Aspring-actuated piston forces a fluent mass in a barrel against arollable ball in a forward barrel portion, the latter having a left-handthreaded connection with a rearward barrel portion whose inner wall iselliptical and slidably and sealingly engaged by the piston. A cap isreleasably coupled to the forward barrel portion. Turning the cap turnsthe forward barrel portion on the rearward barrel portion, binding thepiston against the wall and then threading the forward barrel portionaway from the piston to relieve the iluent mass of the spring pressure.

The present invention relates to dispensers, and more particularly todispensers capable of being held in the hand and for applying creams, orother viscous substances, to a desired portion of the human body or anyother surface.

Roll-on applicators have been used for dispensing fluent substances,such as deodorants. In general, such applicators depend on inverting theapplicator to vcoat the ball, which is then turned when moved againstthe surface to transfer the material on the ball to the desired surface,such as a portion of the human body. Repeated movement of the bottle toand from an inverted position may be required to apply the desiredquantity of the fluent mass, the discharge from the bottle and `itsapplication being non-uniform. If the contents of the dispenser areunder pressure, such pressure is present when the applicator is notbeing used and oftentimes results in leakage of fluid from thecontainer. In most types of applicators referred to above, the replacingof the cap on the bottle is relied upon to effect a seal by forcing theball against its supporting seat.

In accordance with applicants invention, the contents of the applicatorare discharged smoothly and evenly. The applicator will never leak. Aconstant discharge pressure is applied to the fluent mass in theapplicator, so that the ball, or other rollable element, is constantlybeing coated with the fluent mass and transferred by the ball as itrolls on the surface being treated. However, when the applicator is notin use, the replacement of the cap on the barrel portion of theapplicator renders the pressure source of the applicator ineffective andactually relieves the fluent mass of all pressure above atmospheric. Infact, a slight negative pressure in the fluent mass might be produced.Accordingly, if the dispenser is placed in an environment of lesseratmospheric pressure, it will not leak, as, for example, in the eventthe applicator or dispenser is stored in a suitcase conveyed in anairplane.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposeswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of severalforms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. These formswill now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the invention; but it is to be understood thatsuch detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

Patented Feb. 2, 1971 ICC FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through anapplicator or dispenser embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along the line 2-2 on lFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric projection of part of the forward barrel portionof the applicator, illustrating the right and left hand multiple pitchthreads thereon;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through the rearward barrel portion,illustrating the elliptical conguration of the bar-l rel portion and lipseal engaged therewith;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5-5 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through the forward portion of anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded, longitudinal section and elevational view throughportions of the rear barrel portion, forward barrel portion and cap ofthe embodiment disclosed in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a 360 developed view of the interior details of the coactingparts disclosed in FIG. 7, with the cap tightened; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, with the cap loosened.

The embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings are roll-onapplicators for containing and dispensing fluent substances, such ascreams or similar viscous materials. As an example, a deodorant may becontained within and dispensed by the apparatus illustrated on desiredareas of the human body.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, the dispenser includes an elongatebarrel 10 comprising a rearward barrel portion 11 and a forward barrelportion 12 connected thereto. The rear end of the rearward barrelportion or body is closed by a closure member 13 having a skirt 14snapped into the rearward barrel portion 11, the end closure beingretained in its closed position by an internal circumferential rib 15 onthe rear barrel portion received within a companion external groove 16on. the skirt, with a flange 17 on the closure engaging the end of therear barrel portion. Since the parts are made of an elastic or` plasticmaterial, such as polypropylene, they will deform sulciently to permitthe skirt portion 14 to pass within the rib, whereupon the rib 15 willcontract i11- herently into its companion groove 16.

The forward barrel portion 12 includes a threaded member 18 having arearwardly extending, outwardly within companion segmental left-handgrooves or threads 22 in the forward part of the rearward portion 11 ofthe barrel, so that relative turning of the threaded member 18 willeffect its axial feeding within the rearward barrel portion 11.

The threaded member 18 is secured to a tip 23, the rear part of whichprojects into the threaded member, and which is secured thereto by aplurality of splines 24 disposed circumferentially around an externalflange portion of the tip, with companion splines (not shown) in thethreaded member 18.

The tip 23 is insertable through the lip portion 19 of the threadedmember, its flange 24 deflecting a retaining rib 25 on the threadedmember outwardly until the flange meshes with the splines in thethreaded member and is engaged with a shoulder 26 of the threadedmember, whereupon the rib 25 will deflect or contract inherently to itsinitial position overlying the flange, thereby effecting an attachmentof the tip to the threaded member 18. The threaded member and tip mayalso be made of a suitable synthetic resin, such as polypropylene, thathas elastic properties, and which provide members of sufficientelasticity to permit their ready assembly in the manner described above,and which will also effect an elastic lip seal against the cylindricalsurface 20 of the rear barrel portion 11.

The forward portion of the tip has a spherical seat 27 provided by aplurality of circumferentially spaced ribs 28 forming feed channels 29therebetween (FIGS. 1, 5). A rollable element 30, such as a ball, bearsagainst this seat and is rollable therealong, being retained contiguousthe spherical seat 27 by the forward end 31 of the nose 32 of the tipextending around the ball and having an internal diameter slightly lessthan the diameter of the ball. There is a predetermined andcomparatively small clearance between the spherical portion 33 of thetip forwardly of the ribs 28 and the ball 30, to permit the fluentmaterial coating the ball to pass to the exterior of the nose 32 of thetip as the ball rolls on its rib seat 27.

Secured to the tip 23 of the forward barrel portion 12 is a shaft 34disposed centrally in the barrel and extending toward the rear endclosure 13. This shaft has a head 35 integral therewith, which hasexternal splines 36 meshing with companion internal splines in the tip,the head being held firmly against the rear ends of the ribs 28 by aninternal circumferential rib 37 bearing thereagainst. The head 35 isinserted in the tip and will deflect the rib 37 outwardly until the headcomes into full splined engagement with the tip splines and against thelongitudinal ribs 28 defining the ball seat 27, whereupon the internalrib 37 will inherently contract over the head to retain it in place.

The shaft 34 is of tubular form and is closed by a suitable plug 38 inits forward end. It is of non-circular shape, such as a square shape(FIG. 2), having rounded corners, a dispensing power piston 39 beingslidable along the shaft and also along the barrel 10. The piston has aforwardly facing lip seal 40 conforming to the shaft perimeter, so as toprevent leakage between the piston and the shaft 34. The rear portion ofthe piston also has a forwardly facing lip seal 41 slidably andsealingly engageable with the main inner wall 42 of the rearward barrelportion 11, which is elliptical in cross-section and which extends fromthe circular cross-section inner wall 20 against which the other lipseal 19 contacts to the rear end closure 13. As disclosed in FIG. 4, themajor axis 43 and the minor axis 44 of the ellipse of the inner wallhave lengths that are not too dissimilar from each other. As an example,the elliptical surface 42 may be an 81n ellipse, and the lip seal 41 ofthe piston has sufficient elasticity as to conform to the ellipticalsurface of the inner wall 4and retain a slidable sealing contacttherewith despite turning of the piston through 90, as hereinafterdescribed, the lip 41 maintaining a circumferentially continuous sealwith the elliptical surface 42.

The piston 39 is urged in a forward direction within the barrel by ahelical compression power spring 45, the rear end of which bears againstthe closure 13', the spring extending within the power piston 39, whichis of hollow form, and with its forward end engaging against a shoulder46 in the forward part of the piston. The piston will be forced against`a fluent mass M contained within the rearward portion 11 and forwardportion 12 of the barrel, the spring 45 being expandable to an extent atwhich the forward end 47 of the piston is brought closely adjacent tothe shaft head 35, and with the lip seal 41 of the piston closely.adjacent to the rear end 48 of the right circular surface 20 of therearward barrel portion. It is to be noted that the piston is ofgenerally stepped configuration to conform to the stepped configurationof the forward barrel portion 12, so as to insure the dispensing ofsubstantially the entire fluent mass M from the barrel. Such dispensingoccurs as a result of the pressure exerted by the spring 45 upon thepiston 39 and by the piston upon the fluent mass M, forcing it throughports or passages 50 in the head 35 which communicate with the feedchannels 29 between the longitudinal ribs 28, the fluent mass beingforced against the surface of the ball 30. As the ball is held againstthe surface to be coated, and is rolled thereon, the fluent mass isrolled by the ball on such surface, the ball during its rolling actionwithin the tip 23 continually being coated by the fluent mass anddispensing the fluent mass on the persons skin or other surface as itisbeing rolled therealong.

When the dispenser is not in use, a cap 51 is mounted over the tipportion 23` and is threaded onto the threaded member @18 of the forwardbarrel portion. As disclosed, the cap has internal right-hand segmentalthreads 52 of divided pitch meshing with companion external right-handsegmental threads 53 on the threaded member. Turning of the cap 51 tothe right will effect quick threading of the cap on the threaded memberor barrel portion .18, because of the multiplicity of right-hand threadsegments 53 provided thereon. As disclosed, the threads may have a leadseveral times the pitch of the threads, a plurality of segmental threadsengaging one another at the saime time. The cap threads fully onto thethreaded member until its rear end 54 engages a shoulder 55 on thethreaded member, whereupon a continued turning of the cap will alsoeffect turning of the forward barrel portion 12, including the threadedmember 18, tip 23, square shaft 34, and piston 39 relative to therearward barrel portion 11. Such turning, which may, for example, be 90in extent, will turn the piston within the elliptical wall surface 42,causing the piston to bind against such surface and preventing thehelical spring 45 from shifting the piston in a forward direction withinthe barrel. However, the turning will result in the forward axialmovement of the threaded barrel member 18 and of its lip seal 19 alongthe rearward barrel portion 11, because of the left-hand threadedconnection 21, 22 therebetween, which will move the forward barrelportion 12 in a direction forwardly of and away from the piston 39, torelieve the fluent mass M in the barrel of all pressure, and which may,in fact, result in such mass being subjected to a negative pressure.

Accordingly, there is no possibility of leakage of the fluent mass fromthe barrel.

If the dispenser is to be used, the cap 51 is rotated to the left. Thiswill first effect rotation of the forward barrel portion '12 within therearward barrel portion 111 and a rearward feeding of the forward barrelportion within the rearward barrel portion, as well as a rotation of thepiston 39 around the elliptical surface to restore it to its non-bindingrelation relative thereto, whereupon the spring 45 is again effective toforce the piston against the fluent mass M. In one specific example ofthe invention, the threaded member 18 can turn 90 until its threads 21stop at the ends of the thread grooves 22 in the barrel, whereuponcontinued left-hand turning effort on the cap 51 will result in itsbeing unthreaded from the threaded member 18, because of the right-handthreaded connection 52, 53 therebetween, and removal of the cap from thebarrel 10. 'Ihe applicator is now in condition for use with the springpressed piston 39 maintaining a continuous pressure against the fluentmass M, so that the ball 30 is continuously discharging its contentsagainst the surface along which it is rolled, the fluent mass underpressure continuously coating the ball as its surface shifts from theposition externally of the nose to a position internally thereof. Duringforward feeding of the piston 39 within the barrel 11, its forward lipseal 40 makes a full slidable seal against the periphery of the guideshaft 34, while its rearward lip seal 41 makes a slidable andcircumferentially continuous seal against the elliptical wall 42 of therear barrel portion. The ball 30, or other rollable element that mightbe used in its place, is continually being charged with the fluent massM. Regardless of the position of the dispenser, it is unnecessary forthe dispenser to be inverted to secure a recharge or recoating on theball during use of the device.

Another specific embodiment of the invention is disclosed in FIGS. 6 to9, inclusive. Only the forward part of the dispenser shown in FIGS. 1 to5, inclusive, is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, since the remainder of theroll-on applicator or dispenser is the same as in FIGS. 1 to 5. In fact,the forward barrel portion 12a has been changed somewhat in that its tip23a and the threaded member 18a are made integral with one another, thethreaded member still having its left-hand segmental threads 21, whichare received within the companion left-hand segmental thread grooves 22in the forward part of the rear barrel portion or body alla. Thedifferences between the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS.`6 to 9 and that disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 5 are in the structural andfunctional relationships between the cap 51a and rear barrel portion11a, and between the cap and the forward barrel portion 12a.

In FIGS. 6 to 9, the forward part of the rear barrel portion has acircumferential internal grove 70 located forwardly of its threads 22,and communicating with a plurality of short, circumferentially spaced,longitudinal slots 71 opening through the end 72 of the rear barrelportion. The cap 51a has circumferentially spaced external lugs 73conforming in number to the number of slots 71 in the barrel, these lugsbeing movable through the slots into the circumferential groove 70. Asdescribed hereinbelow, turning of the cap `51a to the right will turnthe cap lugs 73 in the circumferential lock groove until they are behindthe forward wall 74 of the groove, in effect locking the cap to theforward barrel portion against substantial relative longitudinalmovement.

The cap 51a makes a splined connection with the forward barrel portion12a. Thus, the cap has circumferentially spaced, longitudinal internalgrooves 75 which can receive companion longitudinal splines or keys 76on the forward barrel portion when the cap is slipped over the latter.It is to be noted that a cap groove or keyway 75 and a cap lug 73 lie inthe same central radial plane, and that a spline 76 and associatedhelical rib or thread 21 on the threaded member also lie in the sameradial plane, although the spline is not disposed centrally of thethread segment 21.

The parts are so constructed and arranged that the thread segments Z1 onthe threaded member 18a are `disposed in their companion internalsegmental thread grooves 22 at one end of the latter, with abrupt ends77 of the thread segments contacting the abrupt ends 78 of the threadgrooves on the barrel member Illa, at which time the splines 76 on thethreaded member 18a are located in the central radial planes of thebarrel slots 71. Accordingly, the movement of the cap 51a in a rearwarddirection over the forward barrel portion 12a, and with their lugs 73aligned with the slots 71, would also align the longitudinal cap groovesor keyways 7S with the splines 76, such that the cap can be moved intothe rearward barrel portion 11a to locate the lock lugs 73 within thecircumferential groove 70, and to also cause the groove portions 75 ofthe cap to slide over the longitudinal splines 7x6 of the threadedmember, rotationally coupling the cap and forward barrel portion 12atogether, the parts then being in the relative positions disclosed inthe 360 developed view of FIG. 9. Turning of the cap 51a to the rightwill then turn the forward barrel portion 12a to the right with respectto the rearward barrel portion Ila, causing the left-hand threads 21 tomove within the lefthand groove threads 22 of the rearward barrelportion and effect a forward feeding of the cap 51a and forward barrelportion 12a with respect to the rearward barrel portion, until theexternal thread segments 21 engage the opposite abrupt ends 78a of thethread grooves, which function as stops, at which time the parts are inthe relative positions illustrated in the 360 developed view of FIG. 8,the cap being locked to the rear barrel portion 11a because of thedisposition of the lugs 73 behind the groove wall 74.

As noted above in connection with the form of invention disclosed inFIGS. 1 to 5, turning of the forward barrel portion 12a to the rightalso turns the guide shaft 34a and the piston 39 to bind the pistonagainst the elliptical surface 42 of the rearward barrel portion 11a,and prevent the spring 45 from moving the piston forwardly against thefluent mass M in the barrel. Rotation of the forward barrel portion 12ato the right feeds such -portion forwardly within the rearward barrelportion 11a, and thereby relieves the fluent mass of the pressure thathad been exerted against it by the helical compression spring 45 andpiston.

When the cap 51a is to be removed, it is turned to the left from thepositions illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, such turning also rotatingthe forward barrel portion 12a, because of the splined interconnection75, 76 between it and the cap, effecting rotation of the cap and forwardbarrel portion until the external threads 21 engage the opposite ends 78of the thread grooves 22 in the barrel, such rotation also turning theguide shaft 34 and the piston 39 to the left, the piston being freedfrom its binding relation to the elliptical surface 42 and again beingurged forwardly by the spring 45. The forward barrel portion 12a is alsoshifted to a slight extent in a rearward direction within the rearwardbarrel portion 11a, the locking lugs 73 on the cap being Ibrought intoalignment with the entry slots 71 of the barrel, allowing the cap 51a tobe pulled out of the barrel and removed from the forward barrel portion12a, the roll-on applicator then being conditioned for use in the samemanner as the other form of invention.

I claim:

1. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass comprisinga rearward portion and a forward portion having an outlet; piston meansin said rearward portion; means for urging said piston means forwardlyin said rearward portion toward said outlet and against said mass; meansproviding a connection between said forward and rearward portions,whereby relative turning between said portions in one direction shiftssaid forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; and lockingmeans operable in response to such relative turning to prevent forwardmovement of said piston means in said rearward portion.

2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; wherein said urging meanscomprises a spring; said connection being a threaded connection.

3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said locking means comprising anon-circular inner wall in said rearward portion and means fortransmitting the turning motion of said forward portion to said pistonmeans to turn said piston means in said rearward portion and bind saidpiston means against said wall.

4. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; wherein said urging meanscomprises a spring; said connection being a threaded connection; saidlocking means comprising a non-circular inner wall in said rearwardportion and means for transmitting the turning motion of said forwardportion to said piston means to turn said piston means in said realrwardportion and bind said piston means against said wa l.

5. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; and a cap removably mounted onsaid forward portion to cover said outlet and for turning said forwardportion.

6. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threadedconnection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to coversaid outlet; and a threaded connection between said cap and forwardportion of an opposite hand to said other threaded connection, wherebyturning of said cap in one direction moves said cap in a rearwarddirection on said forward portion, a continuation of turning said capand forward portion in said one direction shifting said forward portionforwardly of said rearward portion.

7. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a left-handthreaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion tocover said outlet; and a right-hand threaded connection between said capand forward portion, whereby right-hand turning of said cap shifts saidcap in a rearward direction on said forward portion, continuation ofright-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifting said forwardportion forwardlyof said rearward portion.

8. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threadedconnection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to coversaid outlet; and a threaded connection bet-Ween said cap and forwardportion of an opposite hand to said other threaded connection, wherebyturning of said cap in one direction moves said cap in a rearwarddirection on said forward portion, a continuation of turning of said capand forward portion in said one direction shifting said forward portionforwardly of said rearward portion; said locking maens comprising anoncircular inner wall in said rearward portion and means fortransmitting the turning motion of said forward portion to said pistonmeans to turn said piston means in said rearward portion and bind saidpiston means against said wall.

9. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a left-handthreaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion tocover said outlet; and a right-hand threaded connection between said capand forward portion, whereby right-hand turning of said cap shifts saidcap in a rearward direction on said forward lportion, continuation ofright-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifting said forwardportion forwardly of said rearward portion; wherein said urging meanscomprises a spring; said locking means comprising a noncircular innerwall in said rearward portion, and means for transmitting right-handturning effort of said forward portion to said piston means to turn saidpiston means in said rearward portion and bind said piston means againstsaid wall.

10. In a dispenser for a uent mass: a container for the mass comprisinga rearward portion and a forward portion having an outlet; a rollableelement in said outlet for transferring the fluent mass from thecontainer to the exterior of said outlet; piston means in said rearwardportion; means for urging said piston means forwardly in said rearwardlportion to force the fiuent mass against said rollable element; meansproviding a connection between said forward and rearward portions,whereby relative turning between said portions in one direction shiftssaid forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; and lockingmeans operable in response to such relative movement to prevent forwardmovement of said piston means in said rearward portion.

11. Apparatus as dened in claim 10; wherein said urging means comprisesa spring; said connection being a threaded connection; said lockingmeans comprising a non-circular inner wall in said rearward portion andmeans for transmitting the turning motion of said forward portion tosaid piston means to turn said piston means in said rearward portion andbind said piston means against said wall.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10; said connection being a left-handthreaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion tocover said outlet; a right-hand threaded connection between said cap andforward portion, whereby right-hand turning of said cap shifts said capin a rearward direction on said forward portion, continuation ofright-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifting said forwardportion forwardly of said rearward portion; said urging means comprisinga spring; said locking means comprising a noncircular inner wall in saidrearward portion and means for transmitting right-hand turning effort ofsaid forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston means insaid rearward portion and bind said piston means against said wall.

13. ln a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the masscomprising a rearward portion and a forward portion having an outlet; arollable element in said outlet for transferring the fiuent mass fromthe interior of said container to the exterior of said outlet; a shaftsecured to said forward portion and extending rearwardly thereof withinsaid rearward portion; piston means in said rearward portion slidablysealed against the periphery of said shaft and the inner wall of saidrearward portion and connected to said shaft to turn therewith; meansfor urging said piston means forwardly in said container against thefiuent mass therein to feed the fluent mass against said rollableelement; the inner wall of said rearward portion being of non-circularshape in a plane normal to the axis of said rearward portion; meansproviding a connection between said forward and rearward portions,whereby relative turning between said portions in one direction turnssaid piston means relative to said rearward portion and binds saidpiston means against said inner wall and also shifts said forwardportion forwardly of said rearward portion and away from said pistonmeans.

14. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein the shape of said innerwall is elliptical.

`15. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein said urging meanscomprises a spring; the shape of said inner wall being elliptical.

16. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein the shape of said innerwall is elliptical; said connection being a threaded connection.

17. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein said urging meanscomprises a spring; the shape of said inner wall being elliptical; saidconnection being a threaded connection.

18. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; said connection being a threadedconnection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to coversaid outlet and rollable element; and a threaded connection between saidcap and forward portion of an opposite hand to said other threadedconnection, whereby turning of said cap in one direction moves said capin a rearward direction on said forward portion, continuation of turningof said cap and forward portion in said one direction shifting saidforward portion forwardly of said rearward portion.

19. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; said connection being aleft-hand threaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forwardportion to cover said outlet and rollable element; and a right-handthreaded connection between said cap and forward portion, wherebyrighthand turning of said cap shifts said cap in a rearward direction onsaid forward portion, continuation of righthand turning of said cap andforward portion shifting said forward portion forwardly of said rearwardportion.

20. A dispenser as defined in claim 13; wherein said urging meanscomprises a spring; the shape of said inner wall being elliptical; saidconnection being a left-hand threaded connection; a cap removablymounted on said forward portion to cover said outlet and rollableelement; and a right-hand threaded connection between said cap andforward portion, whereby right-hand turning of said cap shifts said capin a rearward direction on said forward portion, continuation ofright-hand turning of said cap and forward portion shifting said forwardportion forwardly of said rearward portion.

21. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threadedconnection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to coversaid outlet; and a spline connection between said cap and forwardportion to transfer turning of said cap to said forward portion to shiftsaid forward portion rearwardly or forwardly of said rearward portion.

22. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threadedconnection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to coversaid outlet; a spline connection between said cap and forward portion totransfer turning of said cap to said forward portion to shift saidforward portion rearwardly or forwardly of said rearward portion; andcoengageable means on said cap and rearward portion for locking said capto said rearward portion upon turning of said cap and forward portion inone direction relative to said rearward portion.

23. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a threadedconnection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion to coversaid outlet; a spline connection between said cap and forward portion totransfer turning of said cap to said forward portion to shift saidforward portion rearwardly or forwardly of said rearward portion; saidcap having a locking lug; said rearward portion having a circumferentialgroove and a longitudinal slot communicating therewith through whichsaid lug is movable into said groove upon placement of said cap on saidforward portion to spline connect said cap to said forward portion,turning of said cap shifting said lug in said circumferential groove tolock said cap to said rearward portion.

24, A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a left-handthreaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion tocover said outlet; and a spline connection between said cap and forwardportion whereby right-hand turning of said cap and forward portionshifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion.

25. A dispenser as defined in claim 1; said connection being a left-handthreaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion tocover said outlet; a spline connection between said cap and forwardportion whereby right-hand turning of Said cap and forward portionshifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; said caphaving a locking dog; said rearward portion having a circumferentialgroove and a longitundinal slot communicating therewith through whichsaid lug is movable into said groove upon placement of said cap on saidforward portion to spline connect said cap to said forward portion,turning of said cap shifting said lug in said circumferential groove tolock said cap to said 10 rearward portion; said urging means comprisinga spring; said locking means comprising a non-circular inner wall insaid rearward portion, and means for transmitting righthand turningeffort of said forward portion to said piston means to turn said pistonmeans in said rearward portion and bind said piston means against saidwall.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 10; said connection being a left-handthreaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion tocover said outlet; and a spline connection between said cap and forwardportion whereby right-hand turning of said cap and forward portionshifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 10; said connection being a left-handthreaded connection; a cap removably mounted on said forward portion tocover said outlet; a spline connection between said cap and forwardportion whereby right-hand turning of said cap and forward portionshifts said forward portion forwardly of said rearward portion; said caphaving a locking dog; said rearward portion having a circumferentialgroove and a longitudinal slot communicating therewith through whichsaid lug is movable into said groove upon placement of said cap on saidforward portion to spline connect said cap to said forward portion,turning of said cap shifting said lug in said circumferential groove tolock said cap to said rearward portion; said urging means comprising aspring; said locking means comprising a non-circular inner wall in saidrearward portion, and means for 1transmitting right-hand turning effortof said forward portion to said piston means to turn said piston meansin said rearward portion and bind said piston means against said wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,632,193 3/1953 Gilchrist401-180 2,780,203 2/1957 Moran et al. 401-180 FOREIGN PATENTS 380,5789/1964 Switzerland 401-180 LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner

